1 Nephi 16: A Miraculous Ball and a Broken Bow

Book of Mormon Student Study Guide, (2000), 27

Have you ever noticed that when you are in tune with the Spirit it is much easier to deal patiently with the things that go wrong in your life? On the other hand, most people find that as the distance between them and the Lord grows, their control of their temper shrinks. In 1 Nephi 16 you will read about both kinds of experiences. Discover how the Lord sometimes uses adversity to teach important lessons.

Curious in this verse means carefully made, detailed, and intricate. The Lord prepared the ball to guide Lehi and his little colony in the wilderness. We learn from Alma that this ball, which served as a director or compass, was called Liahona (see Alma 37:38).

Lehi and his family discovered that the Liahona had two spindles, or pointers, that showed them which direction to travel (see 1 Nephi 16:10). There was also a place on the ball where writing appeared and was miraculously “changed from time to time” (v. 29; see vv. 26–30). This director would only work according to their faith (see vv. 28–29).

Studying the Scriptures

Do activity C (activities A and B are optional) as you study 1 Nephi 16.